National Computer Center Designated Cisco Regional Networking Academy

Government ICT organization to bring premier networking academy program to state universities and colleges

MANILA, Philippines, May 28, 2004 - Cisco Systems® Philippines has designated the National Computer Center (NCC) as its 11th Regional Cisco® Networking Academy in the Philippines. NCC, an organization under the Commission on ICT (Office of the President), is responsible for developing information and communications technology (ICT) in the country. Part of its mandate includes delivering ICT-related education programs to state-run colleges and universities. The NCC will initially bring the Networking Academy program to four schools: Isabela State University, FEU-Fern, Batangas State University, and Northern Mindanao Institute of Science and Technology.

The Cisco Networking Academy program is a curriculum that is for training students and in-transition workers to design, build and maintain computer networks. Students are prepared for industry-standard certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). The networking academy program was launched in 1998 in the Philippines. Today, there are now over 140 academies in the Philippines, with more than 22,000 students enrolled. All eight IT curricula have been rolled out across the country. The schools operate independently but are authorized to use Cisco-provided materials. Cisco assists in evaluating the results of the teaching.

"With the NCC as a Regional Academy focusing on provincial universities and colleges, the Cisco Networking Academy program is now available in all 16 regions in the Philippines. The success of the program lies in the impact it has on a country's economy and the value it offers to educational institutions and individuals," said Luichi Robles, country manager, Cisco Systems Philippines. "Together with the NCC, Cisco is honored to be able to help provide the people in the South with an equal opportunity to gain access to advanced IT skills."

"We try to find ways to generate a continuous supply of competent ICT manpower who will design, develop, implement and manage the computer-based information systems," said Angelo Timoteo M. Diaz de Rivera, director-general, NCC. "Being a Cisco Regional Academy equips us with the skills and the knowledge to disseminate the training that will address the shortage in skilled networking specialists, especially to those coming from the less-exposed areas of the Philippines.

"The Cisco Networking Academy Program fits perfectly with our mandate of championing the rational and optimal use of ICT in the government for the delivery of public services," added Rivera. "The government, and the country as a whole, will benefit from the program as it develops a workforce equipped with the right tools, creates a larger resource of IT-skilled workers for businesses to hire from; and allows educational institutions to have an advanced technology curriculum which is rigorous and comprehensive enough to meet worldwide educational standards."

NCC joins AMA Computer University (QC), Philippine Science High School System (Main Branch), Meralco Foundation Institute, Ateneo de Naga University, Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, University of Cebu, De La Salle University Professional Schools, University of Sto. Tomas, Mapua Institute of Technology and Holy Angel University as existing Regional Networking Academies in the Philippines. The NCC was previously also a Local Networking Academy having been appointed in March 2002.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a non-profit partnership between Cisco Systems, education, business, government and community organisations around the world, aimed at nurturing IT professionals. The education program employs an e-learning model, using a combination of Web-based and instructor-led training along with a hands-on lab environment to teach students how to design, build and maintain computer networks.

First launched in 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy Program now has 10,500 Academies in more than 150 countries around the world. Among which, over 1,100 Academies are located in 24 countries in Asia Pacific.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com. Asia Pacific news and information are available at www.cisco.com/asiapac/news.

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